CHARLOTTE – After thorough analysis the Board of Directors for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), in conjunction with its Athletic Directors Association (ADA), has voted that NCAA sport competition sponsored by the conference will not occur during the fall of 2020 due to ongoing safety concerns associated with COVID-19.



The decision is informed by the reality that several CIAA member schools are located in states experiencing dramatic increases in new COVID-19 cases. This recent rise in cases has led to a pause in phased reopening plans in many of these states, resulting in uncertainty as to whether students will return to campus this fall at several CIAA member institutions.



“This was a difficult decision but remains consistent with our long-standing priority of always acting in the best interest of our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “While there will be no athletic competition in the fall, we will continue to support opportunities that enhance the experiences of our student-athletes, member institutions, and partners.”



At the recommendation of the CIAA ADA, with approval from the Board of Directors, the conference will explore the possibility of a modified schedule of competition for football and volleyball as well as men’s and women’s cross country during the spring of 2021.



Additionally, CIAA membership has unanimously agreed to honor athletic scholarships for their fall sports student-athletes.



“The main priority of the Board and conference is the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” states Virginia State University President & CIAA Board Chair Makola Abdullah. “Although this decision is not ideal, it does afford all of us an opportunity to continue working through best practices to ensure our communities as a whole are in the best possible position moving forward.”



If a move to the spring is adopted, revised game and practice schedules will be established along with the process of determining conference champions for these respective sports. A time frame on this decision has yet to be determined.



“The safety, health, and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff are non-negotiable. Decisions of this magnitude are made with those factors as number one priority while looking to address current issues that have an adverse impact on all of us,” said Clyde Doughty, Bowie State VP of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation and President of CIAA Athletic Directors Association. “These are unprecedented times and our conference continues to work together to identify the best solutions that address the concerns impacting our ability to participate and exist.”



Decisions concerning winter and spring sports will be discussed as efforts to flatten the curve of new COVID-19 cases progress.



Lastly, the CIAA and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) have prepared a joint statement regarding this matter.



“The CIAA and SIAC both appreciates and understands the significant impact that today’s announcements with regard to the status of 2020 Fall sports. Both the CIAA and SIAC enjoy athletic related events, traditions, and rivalries that date back over one-hundred years.  However, in light of the increased health and safety risks confronting much of the country, today the CIAA and SIAC affirm that the welfare of our student-athletes is sacrosanct and must preempt all other considerations when evaluating any return to competition efforts.”

Recognizing the quality of college football in the state of North Carolina, CarolinaGridiron.com has announced its preseason All-North Carolina College Football (NCCFB) team for the 2019 football season. Twenty-five of the state’s thirty-three football playing institutions are represented on this year’s list with FBS Appalachian State leading with eight selections.



The 2019 North Carolina College Football season kicks off on Thursday night, August 29th when the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs face the Charlotte 49ers.

Pos	Player	School
QB	Zac Thomas	Appalachian State
RB	Stevie Green	Fayetteville State
RB	Benny LeMay	Charlotte
TE	Matt Foster	Elon
WR	Corey Sutton	Appalachian State
WR	Caleb Snead	Campbell
OL	Charlie Heck	UNC
OL	Dontae Keys	North Carolina A&T
OL	Keanu Gonzales	Shaw
OL	Rakavius Chambers	Duke
OL	Donald Boone	Chowan
DL	James Smith-Williams	NC State
DL	Kawuan Cox	NC Central
DL	Rafiq Abdul Wahid	Chowan
DL	Larrell Murchison	NC State
LB	Akeem Davis-Gaither	Appalachian State
LB	Sherrod Williams	Lenoir-Rhyne
LB	Justin Strnad	Wake Forest
DB	Mac McLain III	North Carolina A&T
DB	Kasseem Bagley	Greensboro
DB	Devon Hunt	Shaw
DB	Ben DeLuca	Charlotte
K	Jake Verity	East Carolina
P	Isaac Parks	UNC-Pembroke
RS	Tyeous Sharpe	Fayetteville State
ATH	Deon Jackson	Duke

Pos	Player	School
QB	Tyrie Adams	Western Carolina
RB	Wesley Duggar	Davidson
RB	Darrynton Evans	Appalachian State
TE	Michael Wooten	Campbell
WR	Scotty Washington	Wake Forest
WR	Elijah Bell	North Carolina A&T
OL	Justin Herron	Wake Forest
OL	Brandon Leahey	Gardner-Webb
OL	Victor Johnson	Appalachian State
OL	Jason Poe	Lenoir-Rhyne
OL	Noah Hannon	Appalachian State
DL	Justin Cates	North Carolina A&T
DL	Darius Royster	NC Central
DL	Carlos Basham	Wake Forest
DL	Alex Highsmith	Charlotte
LB	Jordan Fehr	Appalachian State
LB	Vincent Thomas	Elizabeth City State
LB	Isaiah Moore	NC State
DB	Desmond Franklin	Appalachian State
DB	Bryce Smith	Guilford
DB	Daryus Skinner	Winston-Salem State
DB	Cameron Mattison	Wingate
K	Jonathan Cruz	Charlotte
P	Dom Maggio	Wake Forest
RS	BJ Muckelvene	Wingate
ATH	Craig Rucker	Mars Hill

Carolina Gridiron has provided coverage of college football in North Carolina since 2013, focusing on players who also played their high school football in the state. To distinguish North Carolina college football on social media, fans of all North Carolina college football teams are encouraged to use the hashtag #NCCFB throughout the season as a way to showcase North Carolina college football pride.